MPs demand strong steps to prevent Chinese incursions

New Delhi: Voicing serious concern over repeated Chinese incursions into the Indian territory, members from various parties in Rajya Sabha on Thursday asked the government to take stringent measures to prevent such incidents.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Jagat Prakash Nadda (BJP) said, "Chinese troops recently intruded 20 km into Indian territory in Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh...A contingent of 25 members of Peoples Liberation Army intruded into Indian territory on August 11. The intrusion was detected on August 13 and the soldiers left on August 15 after the Indian contingent there was reinforced."

Seeking to know what steps the government intended to take to prevent such incursions, Nadda said it was a serious matter that the Chinese Army intruded in the same area again on August 19 and had even erected tents in the Indian territory in April.

A BJP MP claimed that the Chinese Army has crossed Indian border 600 times during the last three years.

Nadda claimed that during the last three years, the Chinese Army has crossed Indian border 600 times including 150 times in the last eight months and given the gravity of the situation, the government should act immediately.

A large number of members from BJP and other parties including a member from Congress joined the Nadda in demanding stringent measures to prevent recurrence of such episodes. "China is repeatedly crossing the Indian border... government should take up the issue urgently," said a Congress member, while Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said the issue was urgent.

Naresh Agarwal (SP) wanted to know from External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who was present in the House, what was the Indian policy on it. On members' demand for a discussion on the issue, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked them to give a notice.

A large number of members associated themselves with Nadda demanding action against China.